2017 AIME II Problem 13

Attempt Problem 13 of the 2017 AIME II below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2017 AIME II solutions, or check the answer key.

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13.

For each integer n3,n \ge 3, let f(n)f(n) be the number of 33-element subsets of the vertices of a regular nn-gon that are the vertices of an isosceles triangle (including equilateral triangles). Find the sum of all values of nn such that f(n+1)=f(n)+78.f(n+1) = f(n) + 78.

Answer: 245
Concepts:regular polygoncounting shapes in figuresfloor and ceiling functionscasework
Difficulty rating: 3270
Solution:

Count isosceles triangles by apex. For a vertex PP of a regular nn-gon, the isosceles triangles whose two equal sides meet at PP have their other two vertices symmetric about the diameter through P,P, giving (n1)/2\lfloor (n-1)/2 \rfloor such pairs. Summing over all nn vertices counts each non-equilateral isosceles triangle once (it has one apex) and each equilateral triangle three times; equilateral triangles exist exactly when 3n,3 \mid n, and then there are n/3n/3 of them. Hence f(n)=n(n1)/2,f(n) = n \lfloor (n-1)/2 \rfloor, minus 2n/32n/3 when 3n.3 \mid n.

Writing n=6k+jn = 6k + j and computing f(n+1)f(n)f(n+1) - f(n) in each residue class gives 13k13k for j=0,j = 0, 3k3k for j=1,j = 1, 5k+15k + 1 for j=2,j = 2, 7k+37k + 3 for j=3,j = 3, 9k+69k + 6 for j=4,j = 4, and (k+2)-(k + 2) for j=5.j = 5. Setting each equal to 78:78: 13k=7813k = 78 gives k=6,k = 6, n=36;n = 36; 3k=783k = 78 gives k=26,k = 26, n=157;n = 157; 9k+6=789k + 6 = 78 gives k=8,k = 8, n=52;n = 52; and the other three cases have no positive integer solutions.

The sum of all such nn is 36+157+52=245.36 + 157 + 52 = 245.

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